Faculty - Prof. Nandkishor Muley

Pandit Nandkishor Muley comes from a family of traditional musicians (in Baroda in Western India), who transmitted the tradition of kathakar (or kirtenkar). Nandkishor’s grandfather was a kirtenkar, reciting and singning mythological tales in the temple. His father, Dattatreya, was a highly regarded vina player (a lute-like instrument) and taught vocal arts at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Nandkishor began his musical training at an early age with his father as well as with his uncle (Śrikant Muley, professor of sitar at the same university), who taught him Indian classical vocal arts and tabla. He notes the importance of singing to traditional Indian instrumentalists, since their goal is to make the instrument “sing”. By studying the vocal arts, an instrumentalist learns how to present the raga and how to “put the notes and intervals together”.

He received a Master’s Degree from Maharaja Sayajrao University in Baroda as well as a diploma in tabla and vocal music. After finishing his santur training, under the guidance of Pandit Shive Kumar Sharma, he was awarded the prize of “Surmani” (Diamond of Notes) from the Sur Singar Samsad Music Association (Bombay, 1975-76). In 2001, Pandit Muley was awarded the Excellent Art and Cultural Educator award from the United Arts of Florida for his contribution of Indian music and culture to various Florida schools and universities. In 1994 he won the German Grammy Award, and was nominated best instrumentalist for the Diva Music Award from India music industries in Bombay in 1995.